Thursday, August 14, 2014

Every buddy loves the summer time. Summer brings lots of fun activities, like walking and hiking and swimming. Butt - summer time also brings HEAT and heat can be very dangerous to your pet, they can easily suffer from heat exposure.

Hot weather is especially tough on brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds like pugs. Because of their short noses and smaller air passages, pugs can’t adequately cool air or release heat when they are in hot temperatures. Take extra caution with your pug whenever they are in an environment with temperatures exceeding 75 degrees. Brachycephalic dogs have the highest risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Brachycephalic dogs are the cute, personable breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese and Boston Terriers. Their short noses and flat faces are at an extreme disadvantage in hotter temperatures because the dog’s primary mechanism for beating the heat is panting, and these dogs do not pant efficiently.

You can see how Flat my nose is!

Panting is a form of evaporative cooling, and air must easily flow for the process to work. The shorter faces of brachycephalic dogs make them look adorable, but they create big problems for airflow. These dogs suffer from brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS), which causes inefficient breathing and, therefore, inefficient cooling.

The mouth could do all the work, except brachycephalic dogs have long, soft palates in the back of their mouths. The palate tissue blocks the flow of air to the trachea. And lastly, many have small, hypoplastic tracheas in which the diameter of the trachea is greatly reduced.Each of these structural problems interferes with how quickly air can pass to the lungs. Air movement for a brachycephalic dog might be the equivalent of a person who is trying to breathe with swollen tonsils and a clothespin on his nose.

If evaporation is the way a system cools, and little air is passing through, the system quickly overheats. Dogs can easily suffer from heat exposure, but brachycephalic dogs have the highest risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke.Owners of brachycephalic dogs can help their dogs breathe easier and stay cooler through elective surgery. Nares can be made wider, the soft palate can be shortened.

BUTT - ANY PET CAN BE AT RISK FOR HEAT EXPOSURE

Heat stroke (hyperthermia) If your pet is exposed to hot temperatures and you suspect heat stroke, act immediately. Heat stroke is an EMERGENCY since it can be fatal in as little as ten minutes. Here are signs of heat stroke any pet owner must be aware of:

Frantic, rapid panting

Bright red tongue and red or pale gums

Thick or sticky saliva

Weakness

Dizziness

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Shock

If you suspect your pet is experiencing heat stroke, it is a life threatening emergency and you need to call your veterinarian right away! Immediately get your pet out of the heat and into an air-conditioned area and take their rectal temperature if possible- it will exceed 103°F with heat stroke. Offer your pet small amounts of cool water if they are not vomiting and are able to drink. Spray them with cool (not cold) water, especially on their head, neck, feet, chest, and belly as well as turning on a fan and point it in their direction. You can spray their paw pads, under their armpits, and groin area with isopropyl alcohol. Do NOT immerse your pet in ice or in ice-cold water. The goal is to decrease the body temperature normal in the first 10-15 minutes but then the cooling process needs to be slowed and monitored by your veterinarian as their temperature can drop dangerously low.

Here are some tips to Stay Cool in the Heat

Protect your pet from the heat.

Provide plenty of shade, air-conditioning, and a cool pool of water to help your pet escape the heat.

Make sure your pet always has plenty of fresh, cool water every day in a bowl that won’t tip over.

If you are headed outdoors with your pet, be sure to bring along cool water and a portable bowl for them to drink from. Anytime your pet is outside, make sure they have protection from the heat and sun. Tarps and tree shaded areas are ideal as they won’t obstruct air flow. A dog house won’t provide relief from the heat and could actually make it worse for your pet.

Exercise your pet in the early morning or late evening hours when it’s a little cooler.

Make sure to adjust the time and intensity of exercise based on the temperature and humidity. Older dogs, young puppies, overweight pets, short nose breeds, pets not used to exercise, and pets with heart and respiratory problems are more likely to overheat in hot weather. Keep in mind that the street and sidewalks as well as the sand on the beach can be very hot and can burn their pads.

Monitor your pet’s health.

Pay close attention to your pet’s respiratory rate, effort to breathe, stamina, willingness to continue and fatigue. All can be signs of possible overheating.

Respond quickly

If your pet is working hard to breathe, and if his tongue is flat and wide for maximum evaporation, don’t ignore it. Take immediate measures to cool him down

Control your dog’s weight.

Maintaining a healthy weight can help your pet breathe easier

Never leave your pet in a parked car, not even for a few minutes.

On a day when it is 85°F outside, a car with its windows slightly opened can heat up to over 100°F in just 10 minutes! Even on seemingly mild days, an enclosed car can be deadly. Recent studies show that when it is 72°F outside, a car’s internal temperature can climb to 116°F within one hour. It can take as little as 10 minutes for a dog to sustain organ damage or even death when trapped in these temperatures so plan your day and travel to guarantee your dog is never left in the car.

Use sunscreen on your pets when they are outside.

Pets with light colored skin or thin fur can sunburn easily and are more prone to skin cancer. If your pet will be outside in the sun a lot then use sunblock, yes, there is sunblock for pets! Be sure to apply it to exposed areas like the ears, nose, and even the belly for those pets who tend to lay in the sun.

Keep your pet well groomed.

While a haircut may help keep your pet cooler, cutting them too short can remove insulation against the heat and also make them more susceptible to sunburn. Keeping them free of mats and loose undercoat with regular brushing helps their coat to “breathe”.

Make sure to use proper flea and tick prevention.

Flea and tick populations thrive in warm, humid environments, and are most prevalent in the summer months. They can pose serious health concerns such as the spread of Lyme disease, the transmission of tapeworms and cause allergy dermatitis, so it is important to use the proper flea and tick preventatives and treatments with your pets.

If you suspect your pet is experiencing heat stroke, it is a life threatening emergency and you need to call your veterinarian rightaway! Immediately get your pet out of the heat and into an air-conditioned area and take their rectal temperature if possible- it will exceed 103°F with heat stroke. Offer your pet small amounts of cool water if they are not vomiting and are able to drink. Spray them with cool (not cold) water, especially on their head, neck, feet, chest, and belly as well as turning on a fan and point it in their direction. You can spray their paw pads, under their armpits, and groin area with isopropyl alcohol. Do NOT immerse your pet in ice or in ice-cold water. The goal is to decrease the body temperature normal in the first 10-15 minutes but then the cooling process needs to be slowed and monitored by your veterinarian as their temperature can drop dangerously low.

About Me

Bailey, Hazel & Mabel, three spoiled pugs enjoying life in southeast Idaho, Mom's hobby is obedience/rally training. Bailey & Hazel both have earned titles. Angel Greta had earned her Rally Novice and Beginner Novice title before she left us. Mabel earned her first title, Rally Novice in Aug 2016